Pompano Beach – H. Keith Mizell, 55, left us too soon on Friday July 15 of a heart attack in Marianna, FL while traveling for business.

Mr. Mizell was born on Oct. 2, 1959 in St. Louis, MO, to Velma Jean (Towel) Mizell and James Howard Mizell. Raised in the Midwest, he fulfilled a life-long desire and moved to South Florida in 2000.

Mr. Mizell was a devoted and loving husband to wife Lisa and an irreplaceable father to his daughter Kristen. He held advanced degrees in economics and accounting.

Mr. Mizell was an active real estate broker since 1989 and was a member of the National, Florida and Greater Fort Lauderdale Association of Realtors. He had 30 years experience working in nearly every aspect of real estate and construction.

After working for the City of Ft. Lauderdale, FL and retiring from the City of Miami Beach, Mr. Mizell was committed to his community, continually volunteering his time to improve and beautify the area, impacting everyone’s value and aesthetic of life. In the summer of 2005 he founded a community organization to begin a grass-roots effort to encourage his city to move forward with needed improvements.

Our Pompano Beach [OPB] was formed; the first meeting in July 2005 drew a crowd of over 100 residents. The improvements proposed by OPB became the basis for the Pompano Beach CRA Beach area master plan. Construction of the first phases of the project commenced during the summer of 2011.

Subsequent phases are currently underway. Today OPB members continue to be involved in civic activities throughout the city of Pompano Beach, a city Mr. Mizell’s family helped found in 1908. [John R. Mizell, first mayor of Pompano, 1908]

Mr. Mizell ’s appreciation of art and the ocean are reflected in all aspects of the projects he was involved in. As members of the Miami Heat family he and and his wife, Lisa, were loyal fans and season ticket holders for over a decade. The impact Mr. Mizell had on his family and community will not be forgotten. Florida was his dream; he made a memorable life here.

Mayor Lamar Fisher said his friend’s death was a “. . , total shock. Keith was not only a well-respected community activist but became a dear friend. He always was very well prepared with facts and photos when he made his presentations to the city commission. His loyalty to Pompano Beach was unwavering; he would do whatever it took to help the leadership make the right decisions that benefited the entire city; never self-serving. Keith will be sorely missed and I pray for Lisa and his entire family during this most difficult time.”

Mr. Mizell was also remembered by District 1 Commissioner Barry Dockswell, who added,”Keith was a passionate advocate for his community. His knowledge and dedication will be missed.”

Mr. Mizell will be remembered by many whose lives he touched along his journey.

Funeral services will be private. In lieu of flowers and cards, donations can be made to the American Heart Association.